A senior diplomat will not return to Belize after being ordered home by the Foreign Office.

John Yapp, 57, of Molyneux Park Road, Tunbridge Wells, was 10 months into his three-year posting as British High Commisioner in the Central American country.

He denied allegations in the Mail on Sunday that his return was connected with complaints about his behaviour at a charity event in April.

He declined to comment at his home on Tuesday morning and referred reporters to the Foreign Office.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “I can confirm that the British High Commissioner has returned home for operational reasons.

“I really can’t go into individual personal issues, but he won’t be going back. He won’t be returning to the post.”